Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, March 21, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Beloved World Community
Stacey Mitchell, Intern Minister
LGBTQ+ rights, hunger, violence, women’s rights are issues that the United Nations addresses, and are experienced by our own communities here in the United States. How do we contemplate the interconnectedness of our lives, as a world community?
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Bill's BlogThe Other Virus(es)
Covid 19 is not the only virus infecting our culture. The murders at the Atlanta spas earlier this week reveal another face of the dysfunction and danger of the culture we are committed to dismantling.Â
There is so much that needs saying.Â
The alleged killer “gave no indicators” that the murders were racially motivated. The County Sheriff suggested that the killer was “having a bad day” and then, with a straight face reported: “We asked him that specifically and the answer was no.” Vladimir Putin also denied that Russia had influenced the 2016 election.Â
Asian American leaders are clear that these were hate crimes, another vector of domestic terrorism. They also are clear that the FBI and local police forces continue to underreport hate crimes against Asian Americans, even more dramatically than other hate crimes are underreported...continued.
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Family WorshipWhat does it mean to hold an intention?
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We’ll explore how it can be like a spiritual practice—something we can do every day and something that can become a habit. Dustin Hunley and Rev. Tom Disrud will share the message, and Dustin will lead the music.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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| Gmail Users: You may have to scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on "View Entire Message" to see the complete FrontSteps.
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Foundation MonthLeaving a LegacyÂ
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In honor of Foundation Month please join us in recognizing the members and friends who are part of our Legacy Society, by clicking here.
Join current Legacy Society members by making your gift intent today. You can include First Unitarian in your estate plan by leaving a portion of your estate to the Foundation.
Foundation Info Sessions: Members of the Foundation’s Board will be available at a Zoom informational session every Sunday in March after services, from 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. to answer your questions and share helpful resources for those who are wondering about planned giving to the Foundation to benefit the church
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NEW - Speaking of Justice: Blog
Stay up-to-date on how you can put your faith into justice action.
ACTION NEEDED NOW: The Sanctuary Promise Act & Other Bills
Help the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) achieve its goal of making 500 calls to Oregon legislators in support of the Sanctuary Promise Act by Monday, March 22nd...
URGENT: Help Incarcerated Citizens Get Their Stimulus Checks!
Many imprisoned people still have not received their EIP checks. Critical Resistance PDX is sending instructions to help eligible prisoners get their money...
Whole Earth, Whole Church Congregational Climate Convergence
Calling all congregations committed to climate justice! This program is designed for congregational leaders to attend together with the goal of inspiring and supporting congregational climate action...
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, March 28, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.Â
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Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. This virtual class will offer an orientation to the church, to Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be a member. This will be a chance to meet other newcomers and to have your questions about the church answered.
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Abolition Movement Today: An Action Study GroupÂ
Tuesdays 6:30 p.m.Â
April 6 - May 11
Register by March 30
Prison abolition. Defund the police. Prison industrial complex. Mass incarceration. Have you found yourself wondering what these terms mean?
Join Lay Minister Mark Woodlief and Director of Social Justice Dana Buhl in a six-week study group as we co-facilitate a mutual learning opportunity for the curious, the considering, and the committed.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Tales from the Pandemic: Celebrating our Humor, Patience & Resilience
Monday, April 5, 12:30 p.m.
After several weeks of scrambling to get a COVID-19 vaccination, we seem to have used just about every tool in our toolbox—and we’re still nowhere near done! Paul Iarrobino will share his experiences trying to help older adults sign up for appointments, pulling out all the stops, and telling it with humor. Do you have a story to share too? Let’s gather and reflect on our collective resilience!
Facilitator: Paul Iarrobino is the founder of Our Bold Voices. Paul helps individuals harness their inner strengths to remove barriers and rediscover their purpose.
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Survival Lessons: Reclaiming Your Life After LossÂ
Saturdays, April 10, 17, 24 & May 1, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Â
This four-session class will focus on telling our stories and identifying ways to experience healing and transformation following the death of a loved one. Limited to 8 participants.Â
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Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
Do you want to simply have fun and interesting conversations with new folks or folks you haven’t seen for a while at First Unitarian?
The facilitator-lead gathering will begin with an ice-breaker topic/question each week. Come with your favorite beverage or treat and be together through conversation. (An on-going commitment is not required.)
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Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays at 5 p.m.
End your week with a brief quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation and music offered by our Lay Ministers. Let this be a pause at the end of the week, to receive and to be held in love, without the need to converse. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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Caring Circle for Parents
Monday, March 22, April 5, & 19 at 7 p.m.
In these challenging times for families, our lay ministers invite you to join a Caring Circle for parents. This small group will meet every other week to provide listening and support to one another.  (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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Help PHFS Jump into Spring!
Requested Donations: Make it a success by donating chalk, bubbles, egg dying kits, etc.
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Social Justice Action Item
Support HB 3265
Support HB 3265 which will update & strengthen the 30+ year old Oregon sanctuary law. In the next two weeks help the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) make 500 calls to Democratic (only) legislators requesting their support for this bill.
Among other things, this bill would prohibit warrantless arrests at courthouses, ban ICE detention contracts, and prohibit racial profiling in prisons/jails. Contact information for your legislators can be found here.
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SW HOPE Community Food Drive Needs Your Help
Are you getting an income tax refund or stimulus payment soon? Then COHHO asks you to consider sharing some of those funds with your Southwest Portland neighbors. Neighborhood House is now holding a fundraiser to serve the ever-increasing number of families who depend on their food pantry for sustenance.
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Art For Social Justice
The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and building the Beloved Community.Â
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
We Survived, by Climbing PoeTree
Climbing PoeTree is a collaboration directed and inspired by two dynamic women, Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman. They use art as a tool to expose injustice, channel hope into vision, and make a better future conceivable and achievable.
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In the Community
Member Janice Clark died on March 13 due to complications from muscular dystrophy. Janice was 77 and had been a part of the church for over 30 years. Most recently she was involved in our Animal Ministries group and for many years Janice worked with preschoolers in our Learning Community. Janice was a warm, kind and positive person. She leaves her son Jonathan, and we hold him at this time. He hopes to have a memorial service in a few months.
Mike O’Donnell, brother of Joe O’Donnell, our church organist, died on March 7 at the age of 78 in Florida after a lengthy illness. He leaves his wife Wendy, two children and four grandchildren. We hold Joe and his spouse David at this time.
We hold member Martha Jones. Her brother, Christopher Vyn Jones, died of pancreatic cancer on March 2 in Bogota, Colombia. He was 62 years old. His husband, Luis Rosado, was by his side. Besides Luis and Martha he leaves many friends in Colombia and the United States. He will be much missed.Â
Lia Nagase asks for prayers for her cousin Philip who died suddenly last week. Philip was young, in his 30s, and had a hard time in life. Lia says he was talented and had an artist's eye and ear, taking unique photos as a young man and picking up piano skills easily. He was the only child of his parents, Cheryl and Dave and we hold them, Lia, and their extended family at this time.Â
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TOMMOROW - Ron Hall Memorial
Friday, March 19, 5:30 – 7 p.m.Â
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Husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend, Public Health Administrator, coach, educator and a true philosopher at heart, Ron was loved by many.
To honor his life, a virtual memorial service will be held on the anniversary of his death. Please join us to celebrate Ron and his life, one lived to the fullest.
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We have passed a milestone in the church’s history that none of us could ever have predicted – we have not been in our buildings for an entire year. Though we all miss being together, our virtual ministry has allowed our beloved community to expand beyond just those who can drive to the church. I have met several of our new community members at Virtual Coffee Hour and enjoyed hearing their stories about how they connected with First Unitarian. Our virtual ministry and community will continue to be important even as we come together again.Â
Ministry and staff have been thinking about how and when we will regather when circumstances allow. They are consulting with congregants as they explore alternatives and develop plans. The transition back to meeting in person is more complicated than our move to the virtual world and will take more time to figure out....continue.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility & Appointments
How to Schedule a Vaccination Appointment
The following is updated information about how to schedule your COVID-19 Vaccination. If you would like help with scheduling your vaccination appointment, please send an email to The Alliance. We recommend reading the instructions before signing up...continue.
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First Unitarian's Response to Covid-19
Here are a few important updates that affect our life together.
Sunday Worship
Staying Connected
Church Communications: Do you receive messages from the church including this weekly E-News and our Staying Connected emails? To receive church emails send a note to etafuri@firstunitarianportland.org.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate Plan
Help assure the long-term sustainability of this beloved congregation by including First Unitarian Portland in your will or estate plan.
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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Live Streams on Boxcast, Youtube or on Facebook.
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Have a Submission for E-News?If you have a church-related submission you would like published in our weekly Front Steps (E-News), please submit it here with subject line “For E-News.”
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesday.Â
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes/socials and  stay engaged!
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Trying to find connection with those in the congregation with similar interests?
Contact one of the many groups run by members of the church and connect.
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